Step To Fight Obesity
America is becoming obese at a dangerous rate and the world is following close behind. Eat more, watching satellite tv, and exercising less or getting no exercise at all. Our health in a steep decline and doctor and hospital visits at all time highs. Just a quick 30-minute walk a day can begin to change this situation.
You name it, we have and worse. Heart and cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke by controlling blood sugar levels, diabetes, obesity, and many others. The U.S. Surgeon General recommends getting at least 20-30 minutes of moderate activity each day and many of us fall far short of even that.
Studies show the average person takes about 3000-5000 steps per day, and some even much less. Let’s face it, we just have to exercise our ancestors did a hundred years and we tend to eat more refined foods. For some of us, most of the steps we take are from the armchair in front of the TV to the fridge so we can fill up on snacks. For others, like myself, we sit at a computer all day, as part of our jobs.
Read the rest of this entry »
Obesity Help
Obesity help is needed when someone is suffering obesity related problems. This is a service generally provided by health institutes and other social welfare associations. Obesity help assists persons who need a clear idea about obesity, its symptoms, its common causes, its diagnosis, and its treatments.
Obesity is a severe, often overlooked, disabling chronic situation that affects all. It is also defined as a body mass index (BMI) more than 30 kg/m2. Anyone more than a BMI of 40 is considered morbidly obese. This state increases the risk of many health conditions such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, respiratory problems, and some cancers.
Obesity may be caused by hypothyroidism, genetics, poor diet, lack of exercise, poor lifestyle habits, medication side effects and excess alcohol intake.
Read the rest of this entry »
Obesity in Teens
Obesity in teens is on the rise, it is related with future health care costs due to obesity related diseases. These diseases : diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke, high blood pressure, and arthritis can cause premature death.
Obesity in teens costs the country billions of dollars a year in disease management and emergency room visits for heart problems and diabetes. However, the cost to teens isn’t as easily quantified; the problems that arise for obese teenagers range from physical to mental and can only be cured gradually over time. Below is a simple guide outlining three main risks associated with teen obesity and three ways to combat teenage obesity.
Causes of Obesity in Teens
1. Poor eating habits
More and more teenagers provide for themselves when it comes to preparing and eating meals. Most of the meals a teenager eats are provided at school. Sometimes these choices are less than healthy options, like pizza and French fries. Also available in many schools are numerous vending machines selling sodas, chips, and candy bars. Dinner may be the first and only chance a teenager has to eat a healthy meal.
Read the rest of this entry »
Obesity in America
Obesity in America facts : - Obesity is a life threatening disease affecting 34% of adults in the U.S.; and nearly 67% of adults in the U.S. are either overweight or obese.
- Between 2000 and 2005, obesity (BMI ?30) increased by 24%, morbid obesity (BMI ? 40) increased by 50% and super obesity (BMI ? 50) increased by 75%
- In 2007, only one state (Colorado) had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Thirty states had a prevalence equal to or greater than 25%; three of these states (Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee) had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30%
- As of 2006, 11% of preschoolers ages 2 to 5, 15% of children ages 6 to 11 and 18% of adolescents ages 12 to 19 are overweight
- Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. This increases to 80% if one or more parent is overweight or obese
- One in five American 4-year-olds are considered obese and the rate is higher among American Indian children, with nearly a third of them obese
- A study of 5- to 17-year-olds found that 70% of obese children had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease and 39% of obese children had at least two risk factors
Nearly two-thirds of adult Americans are overweight or obese. Despite the attention of the health profession, the media, and the public, and mass educational campaigns about the benefits of healthier diets and increased physical activity, the prevalence of obesity in the United States has more than doubled over the past four decades.
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY
- Overweight and obesity costs the U.S. healthcare system an estimated $117 billion annually, and since 1987, diseases associated with obesity account for 27% of the increases in medical costs
- Lost productivity related to obesity among Americans ages 17 to 64 costs $3.9 billion a year
- Obese individuals spend 36% more on health care costs and 77% more on medications per year than individuals of normal weight
As previously stated about obesity in America, there is a domino effect associated with dramatic weight gain:
Read the rest of this entry »
Causes of Obesity
Causes of obesity, briefly described below are several contributing causes on obesity.
Diet
A high-fat diet can certainly contribute to an increased risk for obesity. In fact, the body notoriously becomes more efficient at meeting challenges. The body may, in a high-fat diet, learn to store fat more easily–which would increase one’s body fat percentage.
Genetics
It is well established through “twin studies” research that genetics plays a role in obesity. Identical twins, who have the same genetic makeup, are more likely to be obese than are fraternal twins. Currently, there is much research investigating pharmaceuticals and the link between genetics and obesity…which means there is also concomitant increase in the number of scams associated with “quick fix” weight loss programs.
Metabolic Rate
Metabolism refers to the sum of all chemical reactions occurring in the body. On a more general level, one can think of the balance between the energy we put into our bodies through food versus the energy we give off through sleep, rest, temperature change, digestion, exercise and other activities. A person who expends a lot of energy is said to have a “high metabolic rate” (keep in mind this is a very simplified application to a complex concept). Metabolism is higher during periods of growth, pregnancy and physical activity. An individual with a ‘high metabolic rate’ is less likely to be obese than a person with a “low metabolic rate.”
Read the rest of this entry »
